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Zigong, Sichuan: Going Back in Time

Scientific and Technological History of Chinese Well Salt museum, Zigong, Sichuan

August 8, 2012

Attraction List:

Zigong Dinosaur Museum

Salt Museum

Our journey to Zigong– the third largest city in Sichuan– took us through many dusty roads that were still under construction and a city that was beginning to boom. Upon our arrival, our tour guide took us to the Zigong Dinosaur Museum—a dinosaur-like building surrounded by an pre-historical forest complete with robotic dinosaurs roaring their greetings as we entered the building.

Dinosaurs greet us as we enter the Zigong Dinosaur Museum

As one of the three largest exhibits in the world, it is comprised of several complete dinosaur fossils and skulls from the Jurassic era, flora and fauna fossils; and fish fossils.

Dinosaur skull at the Zigong Dinosaur Museum

The building itself was built around two famous discovery sites, where the Dashanpu dinosaur fossils were first discovered. Overall, it is a must see for those interested in prehistoric history.

Sauropoda dinosaur bones at the Zigong Dinosaur Museum

After exploring this place, we had a dinosaur-sized lunch at one of the restaurants nearby. The tour guide was kind enough to organize an air-conditioned private room, where we enjoyed a lunch of chicken soup, meat and eggs, and stir-fried potato leaves.

Lunch at Zigong

Lunch in Zigong

Once refreshed, we headed to the Salt Museum (formerly a Qing dynasty guild house) located near the outskirts of Zigong.

The interior of the Salt Museum, Zigong

Salt is an important industry that has survived for 2,000 years in Zigong, establishing itself as the salt capital of the Western Jin dynasty (265-316 A.D.).

Timeline of salt digging techniques, Salt Museum, Zigong

Tour guide explaining the wooden structure used to make the well, Salt Museum, Zigong

The museum displayed several visuals of the salt-digging techniques employed by the local people from the beginning and into the modern era.

Our museum guide was phenomenal with her explanations of these techniques and showed us how the tools worked using the displays.

Afterwards, we said our farewells to Zigong and drove to the next city, Dazu.

Additional Comments

Zigong is well-known for the dinosaur fossils, salt industry, and lantern-making—ideal for history lovers. During the time we went, we were not able see the local lantern shows that usually take place from January to March.